contentedsouls

7 locks and 19 kilometres

We had lunch out yesterday at the local bar/restaurant and then consulted the weather forecast. The temperatures over the next several days were between –3 and –5, so it was pretty certain that we needed to move today or we’d be iced in. We booked passage to leave at 10 this morning. As the car is back in Bar-le-Duc we wanted to make sure we could get to Vitry-le-Francois and take the train to Bar-le-Duc to retrieve the car so all eventualities are covered to collect the No Problems on Monday.

Set off in glorious sunshine today and breaking ice. Cold but gorgeous – so fabulous to lose those grey, grey days which we’ve seen far too many of throughout January. Broke the first lock beam of the day and hey ho it went to ‘set’ , one red and one green light – yeah! Somebody remembered we were on the move (makes a change) so no phone call required.

A man on the bank waved to me and then engaged us in conversation in the first lock. He then jumped in his vehicle and met us at the second lock with the gift of 3 croissants (sorry Kevin) and a little bottle of his homemade Mirabelle 52% proof spirit – how lovely was that!

We made great ice breaking progress into the 3rd lock of the day – and, unusually, without the escort of a man in a VNF van – except it didn’t want to empty. So when we ‘phoned; the man in the van was way back in Bar-le-Duc and given that it was 3 minutes to 12.00, it didn’t bode well!

We hung a rope round a bollard and came in to tackle some chores whilst we waited.

The rest of the trip was entirely uneventful and I walked some of it with the boys in the beautiful weather. we’ve moored at Vitry where, for some people, it would not be ideal but we have our front end in and it’s safe for Daisy cat and the dogs with good access to the town. We’re happy; it can freeze it’s socks off now – we’re in easy walking distance to collect Sue and Vic. Me happy? You bet!